Mode of fastening bedsteads



iTsn sTATEs PATENT orsi/cr.

JOSEPH RODIFER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MODE 0F FASTENING BEDSTEADS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 1,431, dated, December 18, 1839.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RODIFER, of the city of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful improvement in the mode of constructing secret interlocking joint-bolts for fastening bedsteads and other wooden framework to which they may be adapted orrapplied; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction o-f the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of the specification, in which-d Figure (1,) is a perspective view of a bedstead with all of its parts completely fastened together and ready for use; Fig. (2) is a horizontal outside view of two bed posts connected by a side rail; Fig. (3,) is part of a bed post with the two round open mortises ready for the insertion of the tenons, in the end of each of which is a bolt for interlocking the one with the other, and thereby permanently fastening the bedstead; Figs. 4, 4, are parts of the side and end rails, with their tenons and bolts ready for insertion, and Figs. 5, 5, are similar parts when fastened or interlocked.

The bedstead in appearance, when put together, is similar to those in former use. The bolts for the end rails are shorter than those for the side rails, and are first inserted in their respective mortises, across each of which, is a metallic pin about half way between the side and center of the mortise, permanently fixed, by means of which, when the end rail is inserted and turned suddenly inward, it becomes fast, so that it cannot be got out of the mortise, until turned back, (or outwardly) see letter A, the pin, and B, the bolt.

The side rails, with their bolts, are inserted in their respective mortises, and being longer than those of the end rails, project beyond, lap over and interlock with the latter, when the rails are turned inwardly as described above ;-see letter O.

The instrumentiised for turning the rails either inwardly to interlock the bolts, or outwardly to unlock them and take the bedstead to pieces, is nothing more than a strong stick of timber of convenient length, (18 to 24 inches,) and a rope, with the ends tied together and fastened to one or two of the pins in the rails.

The greater the weight which may be put on the cords or sack bottom of the bedstead, the more it becomes tightened g-and hence, when once fastened, bedsteads of this description, remain so permanently, until an alarm of fire, or any other cause, renders it necessary to unfasten or unlock them, which is done in an instant by turning the rails outwardly in the same manner in which they were turned inwardly and interlocked.

I do not claim to be the inventor of the mode of fastening the rails of bedsteads into the posts by means of a bolt with the segment of a screw on its end projecting from the former and secured into a inortise in the latter, this having been previously patented, (as I am informed,) but What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The mode herein described, that is to say, having the segment of the screw on the end of one rail embrace a screw on a projection from the end of the screw bolt attached to the adjoining rail, all as herein described.

JOSEPH RODIFER.

Witnesses EBENEZER HARRISON, BENJ. HILL. 

